Overview
- Chairing the session, President Lee Jae Myung urged cooperation to steady a shifting free‑trade order and highlighted AI and demographics as shared challenges.
- President Donald Trump left South Korea before the leaders' meetings following talks with Xi Jinping, with both sides reporting steps to lower tariffs, resume rare‑earth exports and increase Chinese purchases of U.S. soybeans.
- Host officials said members are very close to a joint statement, yet divisions over WTO‑centered multilateral rules versus smaller plurilateral arrangements keep the declaration uncertain.
- With Trump absent, focus turned to Xi, who is holding separate talks with Canada and Japan, while U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent represents Washington at the opening session.
- APEC discussions center on reinforcing supply chains and digital transition, as other participants signal rapprochement efforts, including Russia’s claim that even unfriendly states are exploring restored contacts.